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Topic Review (Newest First)

06-27-2014 04:35 PM

My2shepherds

For those that have cats how do you know for sure if your dog has accepted the cat? I have an outside stray that I has adopted us and Athena now almost 21 weeks went from hair up and growling when he first approached me (only with me not anyone else) to now still barking some but tail wagging at the same time... I am not allowing them together till he is healthy enough for worming and shots but I wonder about how their first face to face will result...

I almost wish they were. They are incredibly social and affectionate cats. Problem is, they are so nice that they don't stick up for themselves with Lena. I know it's mainly how they are reacting. I took Lena with me to go pick up her new kennel, and they had a cat there. This cat was the most chill cat ever. Just walked right up to Lena sniffed her then just kinda walked away. Lena did not react at all. She was definitely interested, but no chasing. I think she chases the cats not for aggression, but for play. She is constantly displaying play behavior by getting down on her paws with butt in the air and barking and mock growling. It's quite funny to watch since I have a bunch of vertical space in the house. So 10 times out of 10 they jump up on their tree and stare at Lena like, "Ya not so tough when I'm 5 feet above you" lol. But she is getting better. I have been teaching her "nice kitty" and if she isn't listening then I get her to sit or lay down, which helps to calm her down. She is just rambunctious, and I'm sure all things in time.

Gunther has respect for Fuzzy and he adores Cleo. Fuzzy chased him down the hall once when he was younger but still much larger. I missed it but my husband said Gunther jumped up on the couch and hid his head in his lap and then kept peeking around the couch. Fuzzy stood there like "Bring it big boy". Now Gunther will walk calmly up to Fuzzy and sniff him. Fuzzy isn't thrilled about it but he never scratches.

Cleo is a little bit of a different story. He wants so bad to play with her. Usually he just lays down near her and whines and paws at her. She growls but she never runs or anything. Occasionally he'll try to chase her when she's in hyper mode but he always stays a step behind her and only rubs his nose on her. I can tell him to "leave it" when he's being too wild and it works. Yesterday he got so frustrated with us not playing with him (still recovering from a leg injury) and not being allowed to play with Cyclone that he sat in front of Cleo with a toy in his mouth. He kept trying to get her to grab the end of the toy so he could play tug the way he does with Cyclone. It was quite comical watching her look at him like he had lost his mind.

Then one day Fuzzy was in hyper mode and was batting Gunther's bones around the house. Gunther sat there looking from him to me like "really mom? I'm not allowed to play with him but he gets to play with my bones?". So I chased Fuzzy off.

06-26-2014 01:43 PM

andrea04

Lucie is always chasing our cats... I think she likes the chase. I don't think she is being aggressive bc she throws her paw down like she does when playing.

But we recently brought home a new baby kitten and Lucie gets super excited barking and all. She tried to clean the baby kitten but then tried to put kittens head in her mouth... This behavior makes me cautious bc I don't know if she wants to kill the kitten or wants to carry her around.

I don't allow her to have any interaction with the kitten alone. I always have the kitten in my lap and Lucie on her leash. This makes Lucie unhappy and she whines for the kitten.

I'm wondering am I doing the right thing introducing them like this because I'm taking it very slowly only a short time each day does Lucie get to see the baby...

I almost wish they were. They are incredibly social and affectionate cats. Problem is, they are so nice that they don't stick up for themselves with Lena. I know it's mainly how they are reacting. I took Lena with me to go pick up her new kennel, and they had a cat there. This cat was the most chill cat ever. Just walked right up to Lena sniffed her then just kinda walked away. Lena did not react at all. She was definitely interested, but no chasing. I think she chases the cats not for aggression, but for play. She is constantly displaying play behavior by getting down on her paws with butt in the air and barking and mock growling. It's quite funny to watch since I have a bunch of vertical space in the house. So 10 times out of 10 they jump up on their tree and stare at Lena like, "Ya not so tough when I'm 5 feet above you" lol. But she is getting better. I have been teaching her "nice kitty" and if she isn't listening then I get her to sit or lay down, which helps to calm her down. She is just rambunctious, and I'm sure all things in time.

06-25-2014 02:38 PM

Ellimaybel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Girl_Loves_Hydraulics

So far no potty issues with my cats. They just look totally dumb founded like why is this loud bitey thing using OUR box? LOL @ butt in a box. I promise if I can catch it in a photo, I am totally sharing!

So far no potty issues with my cats. They just look totally dumb founded like why is this loud bitey thing using OUR box? LOL @ butt in a box. I promise if I can catch it in a photo, I am totally sharing!

06-25-2014 01:53 PM

My2shepherds

Sorry I know this is a little twisted (I have been told I am not right many times in my life) but I have the mental image of a full grown shepherd with its rear stuck in one of those covered litter boxes... LOL Promise you will get pics if this habit continues into adulthood...

06-25-2014 01:49 PM

Ellimaybel

That is hilarious. But I'd be more concerned that the cats won't want to go in their box with her scent in it. This could lead to the cats going outside of the box and trust me from a cat owner who has one like this, it's an issue.

06-25-2014 01:39 PM

Girl_Loves_Hydraulics

Quote:

Originally Posted by mssandslinger

she could be just copying, but its not unusual from what i know for dogs to ever use a litter box. I know a few people who have their small dogs litter trained for apartment living.

OK was thinking the same thing, but I have a tendency to second guess my judgment lol...And never knew people litter trained their dogs. I don't have much experience with small breeds unfortunately, but this seems reasonable. Well, I guess she could've picked up a worse habit, like scratching my couches!

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